This Week
A baby’s kick
Pregnant women know what it’s like to have a baby in the womb give a good kick. Two thousand years ago, a woman named Elizabeth was miraculously pregnant with John the Baptist. Her relative Mary was in the same condition, only with an even more miraculous baby: the Son of God. The Bible says that when the two pregnant women met, John gave Elizabeth a good kick in the diaphragm. The Holy Spirit was at work in that baby already. From that baby’s kick, Mary grew in her faith in what God was up to. He was convincing Mary that she could trust his promises. Today, the Spirit uses the gospel in word and sacrament to do the same for us: convince us that we can trust his promises. Welcome to his presence in God’s house.
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Highlights
Events and ministry news needing immediate attention
And His Name Shall Be Called
During the Wednesdays in December, take time to worship with a St. Andrew Advent Home Devotion. Christmas is coming, and these devotions will help keep your attention on the child in the manger. Feel free to share with friends and family.
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Small Talk
The St. Andrew podcast Small Talk is back! Take a listen to hear about Jesus: the baby of Christmas, the promised Savior, and our reigning King. Host Rachel Kamin chats with young children from St. Andrew. She asks questions, and the kids take it from there. You can’t listen without smiling! This week, listen to Kristen talk about adorable baby Jesus. You can find Small Talk here or wherever you listen to podcasts by searching “Kjenstad Impact.”
Advent by Candlelight
God gives perfect gifts. At this year’s Advent by Candlelight service, women of all ages are invited to reflect on these gifts in an evening of prayer, song, and fellowship. Join us Sunday, December 11, from 6:30 – 8:30 PM, and invite a friend too! Sign up here. Contact Yvonne Onsager with any questions.
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Worship
Resources and opportunities for you to worship
Christmas worship schedule
Christmas Eve | 1, 3, 5 PM (livestream at 5 PM)
Christmas Day | 9 AM (livestream)
New Year’s Day | 8 & 10:30 AM (livestream at 10:30 AM)
No Thursday night worship December 22 or 29
Christmas program thank you
Thank you to everyone who joined us to “Get Ready for Christmas” this past Sunday at the Middleton PAC! Students, thank you for all your hard work preparing for the program. Parents, thank you for continuing to encourage your child(ren) to grow in the Word and spread the good news of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus. And a big thank you to Ellen Soukup and Kim Gnewuch for directing this year’s program. To God be the glory!
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Poinsettia order
One way to get the sanctuary ready for the Christmas season would be through your donation of a Christmas poinsettia. The cost is $14 per plant and can be picked up following Christmas Day worship. Orders can be made here and are due December 14.
Worship check-in
If you worship on-site, please fill out the Connection Card attached to your worship folder. Online worshipers, please continue to check in here.
Weekend worship songs
Preview some of the songs we will use for worship this weekend. Obviously ours won’t sound exactly like this, but listening to the links provided will certainly help you be more comfortable participating in the service.
“Almost Home” by Matt Papa, Matt Boswell
“This I Believe” by Hillsong
“From the Squalor of a Borrowed Stable” by Stuart Townend
“Behold the Lamb of God” by Andrew Peterson
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Nurture
Ways to be connected to Jesus throughout the week in your personal life and with others
Grow in Grace
“I worry that I worry too much.” That is the next series coming to Grow in Grace. This whole church Bible study will give you encouragement to worry less and trust more. This 4-part series starts Sunday, December 11 at 9:30 AM in the sanctuary. Childcare for children 3 and older will be available in the gym beginning at 9:25 AM.
Impact
Impact is a podcast ministry of St. Andrew. If you haven’t yet given it a listen, now is the time. Impact offers you a unique way to grow in your understanding of God’s precious Word. This week’s episode again focuses on 2 Peter chapter 2 where Peter has a lot to say about false teachers. What he says is worth paying attention to. This week’s guest is Pastor Greg Lyon from Wisconsin Lutheran College. You can find Impact here or wherever you listen to podcasts by searching “Kjenstad Impact.”
PowerHour
If you have a little one 3 or younger, check out this enriching ministry. PowerHour is for children and their parents, grandparents, or caregivers. For more details about PowerHour, click here. The next PowerHour is December 16 at 10:30, and the theme is “Happy Birthday, Jesus!”
Musikgarten | Plugged into Jesus | Spark | FUEL
These ministries are off until January 15. If you have any questions or feedback about these nurture ministries, please contact Staff Minister for Nurture Mark Kjenstad. We look forward to sharing Jesus with all of the young people at St. Andrew in 2023!
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Service & Outreach
Opportunities for you to live your faith and love for Jesus by sharing Jesus with others
Giving tree
Do you want to help a family whose material circumstances are challenging . . . perhaps more than yours? In the atrium you’ll find a table with different colored envelopes for members of 14 different families. Each family has its own color. Take one envelope or as many as you like. Purchase a gift card for the gift described in the envelope and return the envelope to the Drop Box at the Welcome Center by December 18. May God bless you for your generosity and bless families in need through you.
December Monthly Mission Partner
Our December Mission Partner will be the Local Assistance Fund. The Love of Christ (TLC) ministry team works with this fund to provide love where it is desperately needed. This may come in the form of a handwritten note, aid for those who are homeless, spiritual counseling, or money for car repairs, gas, or food. The Local Assistance Fund could help someone you know or those who drop in looking for assistance. You and our volunteers make this happen. Thank you!
Kreuziger kickoff party
St. Andrew, it is time to party! Join us for a kickoff party to welcome the Kreuziger family on Sunday, January 8, from 4 – 6 PM (note the updated time) in the gymnasium. A tailgate themed celebration will include children’s activities, a dessert competition and, of course, delicious tailgate food! Details on ways you can help with the party and how to RSVP will be coming soon!
Kreuziger card shower
Over the next several weeks, let’s fill a box with gift cards and cards of encouragement to bless Clinton and Michelle as they move to the area to serve among us. We will then present them with the gifts at the installation party. If you would like to participate, there is a card box in the atrium with their names on it.
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Westside Christian School
A ministry of St. Andrew, preparing students for academic success and lives of Christian service founded on God’s Word
Call extended
The Board of Directors held a call meeting on Wednesday, November 30, for a 1st grade teacher beginning in the 2023-24 school year. The Voters issued a call to Ms. Rachel Buschkopf, who is currently teaching 3rd grade at Wisconsin Lutheran School in Racine, Wisconsin. Please keep her in your prayers as she deliberates where to serve.
Dear Members of St. Andrew,
Hello from Racine, Wisconsin! On Wednesday, November 30, I received your call to teach 1st grade at Westside Christian School in Middleton, Wisconsin. I am humbled by the opportunity to reflect on the work of God both here and there and to prayerfully consider how I can best serve in his kingdom. Please pray for me and for God’s continuing work in both locations! In addition to your prayers, I would welcome any thoughts and insights you’d like to share as I deliberate. What a blessing to know that we stand together as one family in Christ as we live each day in the truth and power of his Word and in the strength of his promises! Blessings to you this Advent and Christmas season!
Your sister in Christ,
Rachel Buschkopf |
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Serving This Week
Serving Jesus at St. Andrew this week, December 8 & 11, 2022
Musicians
Lead musician: Kim Gnewuch
Vocalist: Brandon Luppen
Guitar: Jon Povich
Drums: Oliver Povich
Flute: Sarah Wendorf
Saxophone: Vikki Schaal
Ushers
Thurs: Jim Pease
8:00 AM: Jeff Grim, Brad Hougaard
10:30 AM: Zachary Maron, Dan Simpson
Communion Assistants
Thurs: Ron Kerr
8:00 AM: Ed Murray, Casey Weiss
10:30 AM: Jackson Hunter, Levi Schriefer
Communion Care
Thurs: Amy Kohlstedt
8:00 AM: Rachel Martalock
10:30 AM: Susan Wright
Greeters
Thurs: Ron and Piri Kerr
8:00 AM: Carlson family, Karen Hunter
10:30 AM: Liesl Povich, Michelle Teteak
Slide Tech
Thurs: Alex Bindl
8:00 AM: Tammy Mielke
10:30 AM: Mia Teteak
Audio
Terry Jacobs
Video
Jacob Miller
Worship Folders
Kevin and Sherry Kessler
Offering Caretakers
Andy and Lisa Bindl
Growth Group Leaders:
Justin Beck, Jared Dammann
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